Hola! How are things going? Did you miss me? To be honest, I didn’t miss you, no offense. I was too busy living it up in Cancun, and Tulum Mexico. It was my first time going there, and let me tell you, it was breathtaking. I could have stayed for sure. The ocean was jaw-droppingly gorgeous, clear, and played notes of blue, turquoise, and green depending on which beach you were at. The cenotes were beautiful, and full of mystery and magic. The Mexican people are so welcoming, kind-hearted, and helpful. They really know how to make you feel special! We of course had a lot of yummy food while we were there…Lots of fresh seafood, and Mexican food galore. I loved partaking in the many flavors of the agua frescas, after a long day of swimming or walking around the city.
Originating in Mexico, Agua fresca is a drink made from fresh fruit, lime juice, water, and a sweetener of some sort, like sugar, or agave syrup. These drinks are known for keeping the body hydrated and healthy. They had all the different flavors: guava, pineapple, soursop, cucumber, limonada, mango, passionfruit, watermelon, and hibiscus. Agua fresca is a tasty and revitalizing way to satisfy your thirst. This strawberry hibiscus version has a delicious tart flavor that will make you fall in love. Hibiscus is super healthy, lowers blood pressure, and cholesterol, improves heart, and liver health, and can even reduce the growth of cancer cells and bacteria. Sounds good to me…
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups dried hibiscus flowers
2 cups fresh or defrosted frozen strawberries
Sweetener of your choice to taste. I use 2 tablespoons of coconut sugar and 6 drops liquid stevia sweetener. Juice of 1 lime
6 cups of good quality water
Fill a large jar, or pitcher with the 6 cups of water, and the hibiscus flowers. Allow this to cold brew for several hours until the color of the water is a bright hibiscus red. Alternatively, if you would like to speed things up, you can move the mixture to a large saucepan, and heat to a boil for about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. While waiting for it to cool, put your strawberries, lime juice, and sweetener of choice in a blender and puree until smooth. Next strain both the tea and the strawberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer and combine them in a pitcher together.
It’s ready to drink. Refreshing and delicious! Pour it over ice and sit back and be amazed at yourself…This should help you remember your happy place, wherever that is…You know where I’m going. This should keep in the fridge for 2-3 days, but I doubt it will last that long. Sometimes it separates a little in the fridge, just give it a mix before serving.
This same technique can be used to make other flavors. Just blend fruit of your choice with water, lime juice, and sweetener, strain it, and chill. Agua fresca in any flavor your little heart desires.
Here is wishing you good health, and good luck on all of your cooking adventures. Adios amigos!
